Mated To The Alpha King (Raven and Ethan) novel Chapter 256

d then turned toward the mansion.

Chapter 256

Reven’s Pov

I made my way into the pack house, the sound of my boots echoing faintly against the polished marble floor.

As I walked through the corridor, I could feel my heartbeat rising with each step.

The thought of being summoned by Derick’s father made me uneasy.

It wasn’t that I feared him; I respected him deeply, but his aura carried a kind of authority that made even the strongest wolves hesitate.

And then there was his wife, the woman who had never hidden her disapproval of me.

Taking a deep breath, I stopped in front of the tall oak door that led to the study.

I could already hear faint murmurs from inside. I lifted my hand and knocked softly.

“Come in,” came a deep, firm voice from Derick’s father.

I exhaled slowly before pushing the door open.

The study was large and elegantly furnished.

The scent of aged wood mixed with the faint aroma of the Alpha’s cologne.

Derick was seated close to his mother, his head slightly bowed, while his father sat in his grand chair near the window, where sunlight filtered in through the golden curtains.

I felt every pair of eyes turn toward me. My stomach twisted.

“Good afternoon,” I greeted, keeping my voice steady as I took the empty chair opposite them.

Derick offered me a small smile, one that didn’t reach his eyes.

It didn’t calm me. I wanted to ask him if he knew what this was about, but the weight of the silence between us told me he wasn’t sure either.

So I kept quiet, folding my hands neatly in my lap.

Derick’s father cleared his throat, drawing everyone’s attention.

“I called this meeting because there are a few important things we need to discuss,” he began, his voice calm but heavy with

purpose.

I nodded slightly, trying to keep my expression neutral.

He continued, “My 60th birthday is coming up in a few weeks, and after that, I plan to retire fully. I’ve given most of my life to the affairs of this pack the duties, the politics, the endless conflicts.

But now, it’s time for me to step aside.

Derick will be taking full responsibility for everything the pack, the council, and the household.”

My gaze flickered to Derick. His posture straightened a little, though I could sense the tension beneath his calm surface.

His father turned his attention to both of us. “Before that happens, there’s one thing I need clarity on. The two of you.” His

eyes shifted between us.

“Are you both absolutely certain about your relationship? Because once I hand over everything to Derick, he must not be distracted or divided.

You must both know what you want, whether you’re willing to stand by each other, even if your mates appear someday.”

For a moment, the air in the room seemed to thicken. My heart pounded so loud I could hear it in my ears.

I looked at Derick. His eyes searched mine for something maybe reassurance, maybe permission. I didn’t know.

But all I could think of was everything we’d been through: the laughter, the arguments, the quiet nights where he held me and told me I deserved happiness again.

“I am sure,” I said finally, my voice calm but trembling slightly. “I want this. I want us.”

But deep inside, my wolf stirred uneasily.

Are you sure, Reven? she whispered in the back of my mind. What if your second chance mate is still out there? What if fate has something different planned?

I ignored her. I didn’t want to think about fate. Fate had never been kind to me

Derick took a breath and nodded firmly. “I’m sure too,” he said. “We’ve been through enough to know what we want.”

For a brief moment, I thought things would end there. But Derick’s mother’s voice cut through the air like a blade.

“I won’t sit here and watch my son marry someone who isn’t his mate,” she said sharply. Her words carried a venom that sent heat rushing to my face. “And even worse, someone who already has children with another man.”

The silence that followed was deafening.

I froze. Her words sank deep into me like claws. I could feel Derick stiffen beside her, but he said nothing.

I stood slowly, my hands trembling as I faced her. “With all due respect, Luna,” I began, my voice low, “I think it’s time you stop using my children to insult me. Yes, I made mistakes mistakes I’m not proud of. But I won’t let you shame me for them anymore.”

Her eyes widened slightly, perhaps surprised by my tone. But I continued, my voice rising as the dam inside me broke.

“I’ve been playing nice since I came here,” I said. “I’ve swallowed every insult, every side comment, every cold stare.

But no more. I may not be perfect, and I may not have a mate, but I have a heart.

I’ve suffered, I’ve bled, and I’ve rebuilt myself from nothing. So don’t you dare make me feel like I don’t deserve love because of my past.”

Derick’s mother lips parted in shock. I could see the faint tremor in her fingers. But I didn’t care anymore.

“I love my kids,” I continued, my voice cracking now. “And I’ll never abandon them, no matter what anyone thinks of me.

I’ve seen what it’s like to be left behind, and I’ll never do that to them. And since Derick accepts them and his father does too, I don’t need your opinion anymore.”

The room went still.

Derick’s father leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. Derick himself looked torn, pride in his eyes, but also

worry.

I slowly sat down again, my heart still hammering. I didn’t even realize my hands were shaking until I saw my fingers clutching the fabric of my dress.

The meeting continued after that, but I barely heard a word.

Derick’s father began talking about the arrangements for his birthday the guest list, the decorations, and the traditional rites.

He said he wanted me to be part of the preparations, but my mind wasn’t there anymore.

All I could feel was the burning in my chest: anger, humiliation, and hurt.

Derick’s mother’s words replayed in my head over and over, each time sharper than the last.

Someone who already has children with another man…

I clenched my jaw.

My wolf growled low inside me. She’s testing you, she warned.

Don’t lose control.

But it was getting harder to hold it in. Every time I looked at her calm, composed face, the urge to scream, or worse, grew stronger.

I tried to focus on Derick’s father’s voice, but it was useless. My thoughts were spiraling. All I wanted at that moment was to leave.

If I stayed another second, I knew I might say something I couldn’t take back. Or do something I’d regret.

Finally, when he finished speaking, I gave a small nod, though I couldn’t recall half of what he’d said.

The air in the room felt suffocating.

My eyes met Derick’s mother once more. She looked away, but not before I caught the flicker of something maybe fear, maybe disbelief.

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